A POLICE Taser gun twice stopped a knifeman in his tracks after he threatened terrified women, a court heard.

Violent drunk Mark Howe used kitchen knives to terrorise his partner and his mother, but surrendered when Cleveland officers responded with their electric shock weapon.

The 25-year-old realised the futility of what he was doing and dropped the knife on each occasion, prosecutor Richard Parsell, told Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

Howe’s partner Kate Williamson rang police on February 21 when he threatened her with a large kitchen knife after a heavy drinking session, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The couple, who had been in a long relationship, had been out socialising with friends when he turned nasty.

Miss Williamson went to bed at her home in Innes Road, Hartlepool, but she was wakened by Howe screaming abuse and pouring cold water over her. He pulled her out of bed by her hair and then dragged her around.

He then went downstairs and, as she called police, she saw him on the landing holding a large kitchen knife.

The next day, when Howe was interviewed, he lost his temper and he refused to answer any more questions.

Mr Parsell said the defendant was then subject to a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, imposed on December 20 for an affray involving similar circumstances.

Howe was armed with a knife and shouting threats against his mother at her home.

Mr Parsell added the Taser was used on that occasion as well.

Interviewed the following day, Howes said he could recall little about it due to drink.

Robin Denny, defending, said Howe expected to be jailed. He had been on anger management courses but lost control again after drinking.

Mr Denny added: “He realises that he has got to do something to sort out his drinking.”

Recorder Michael Slater told Howe jailed Howe, of St Oswald’s Street, Hartlepool, for nine months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and common assault.